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how to cope with crippling anxiety

absent minded

absent minded

Bluelighter
Joined
Jun 4, 2003
Messages
1,136
Location
Seattle, WA
how to cope with crippling anxiety.. suffocating..

hi bluelight- i dont post often here but i read quite alot. i need someone to talk to that can relate to what i've been feeling for the past few months. and it only seems to get worse and worse. i've been dealing with crippling anxiety, and its not the head anxiety- its not the worry, or the headfuck that anxiety will give you; i can deal with that and have my whole life. but for the past 3 months or so, almost all day.. i feel like i cant catch my breath. im short of breath and no matter how hard i breathe or what i do; i cant fucking breath!! i feel like im going insane- or im about to crawl out of my own skin. i talked to my family doc and he gave me some valiums, and those dont even seem to work. i was refered to a therapist; and i tell her whats going on- but she doesnt even seem to know what to do- she told me to read this book on anxiety--- and shes just a therapist so she tells me to go to my family doc to get medications. i know i need a psychiatrist appointment but i cant get one untill the 23rd. i feel like im gonna crawl out of my skin. i have been running alot- some times i go run a mile it helps my breathing get back into sync for a bit. im feeliing the effects of my anxiety right now and its making this hard to type.. i feel distant and breathing is difficult..im panicking.. so im gonna take a break from typing this for a while. i will finish later. ok... i wrote down a couple symptoms of my anxiety while i was sitting down on the couch, this might be a bit redundant :)


Cant get out of my head, the worst is the shortness of breath, feel like im suffocating. Feel like im going insane. Can never rest my mind. Cant sit down and relax. My mind clouds and I cant concentrate or think right. I have been treated for it before, and thought it got better but it seems like its coming back in full force, I had to get to the doctor its getting that bad. It feels like I cant get enough air and when I think about it I feel like crawling out of my own skin or going crazy like I want to run a mile right then and there, but if I did I don’t think it would help. Sometimes feels like throat is closing up, or that there is something stuck to the back of my throat that I cant get away. I feel like it keeps getting worse. Its happening more and more every day.. what I call breathlessness attacks are constant, I cant get enough air and it makes me frusterated and feel almost crazy. I find myself staring off into space for minutes at a time unable to concentrate on anything. My friends sometimes comment that I look zombied out like totally entranced looking off into the distance. Even writing this to you, thinking about my anxiety, its bringing on an attack, hot flashes, I cant breathe.


please help blue light.. i know alot of you guys are also anxiety sufferers.. but how can i help my breathing? i really feel like im suffocating right now i ned some fucking help... im going to go get some exercise .. get my mind off this shit... please help.
 
that sounds tough. I've never had that bad of anxiety before, but would like to recommend yoga. A "power" or "bikram" yoga class will ware you out and help center your mind, plus it helps correct imbalances in one's chi. If you don't know, yoga is much more than stretching. In both of the types of yoga I mentioned, you will be pouring sweat the whole time and be sore the next day.

good luck, I hope you feel better soon :)
 
i think it is why my anxiety started.. i was already an anxious person but smoking lots of pot brought out panic in me about a year ago.. and at that time i stopped smoking pot and using most drugs.. but i was still drinking ALOT and dropping E every few months. now im trying not to drink.. iwas drinking mostly to alleviate my panic symptoms but it started making them worse. i cant really pinpoint any certain thing that sets off my panic.. it lasts all day and can happen really at any time. it was really terrible today all day;;; it just started getting better and im relaxing myself to get some sleep.
 
Great to hear you've already made an appointment with the psych. Meanwhile, try doing some breathing exercises. The main thing is to focus onto something that will alleviate your anxiety attacks.
If you're going back to your doctor, try suggesting Xanax/Alprazolam to him. This benzo works better for controlling anxiety compared to valium.
Best of luck!
 
thanks.. but even feeling this way i'm never going to go back on an SSRI.. im willing to try other drugs (im interested in Buspar, beta blockers, or a benzo plan and taper)... im even a bit weary about the benzos because lots of docs just perscribe them.. with no knowledge on tapering and how to get off them...

do you guys know of any other medications that work good against anxiety that i can bring up to my psych when i go?
 
Try this breathing technique, its very effective against the shortness of breath your feeling. Try to consistenly breathe the same way, deep into your stomach.... When you breathe shallowly and rapidly, you fatigue the small musles in your lung sacs, leading you to feel as if you have to strain to breathe. The more you continue to breathe erratically, the worse the sense of suffocation will get. The good thing is that during panic attacks and anxiety there is no danger of physical harm whatsoever. They are merely symptoms of something going on in your mind. I know, I've been there (and as I realsied today/yesterday, can still go there wholeheartedly if I want).

Look for thee drug Mirtazepine, its a non-SSRI antidepressant that is effective for anxiety. It has a lot less of the side effects of other a-d's, and has a sedating action (it is usually taken at night, and can help you sleep). Your right to be wary of benzo's- however, even if your doctor can't help you write a plan, using the correct research you could prepare one yourself.

One very pertinent point with benzo use, is that the problem rarely subsides under this form of treatment, just the symptoms are masked- this can lead to problems in discontinuing use of the drug, because there will never seem to be an appropriate time (ie. anxiety/panic free) in which to stop. This just means that while benzo's are very effective for immediate panic symptoms, you must have something else on the go ie. therapy of some sort, long-term medication, meditation techniques. This will allow you to stop using the drug and using your brain to heal yourself, when the time comes.

Some further information

Withdrawl from benzo's

Benzo information

Panic and anxiety

These are Australian sites, I'm sure wherever you live there would be similar programs. There is an organistaion called PADA (Panick, anxiety and depression assistance) which specifically deals with drug-free ways of dealing with anxiety, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This is also Australian, but I'm sure that there would be simialr institutes wolrdwide.

Eh, I've gone on a bit here, basically because like I said, anxiety and panic were (are!!) good friends of mine, If you want any further info or just a chat about it, please PM.

-willow11
 
well as an update.. i was perscribed buspar today, starting at 15mgs a day ... i havent really ever heard anything good about the drug, so i dotn really have my hopes up. i was also perscribed valiums.. but those dont really help at all either. fuck i feel like im going crazy.. i cant stand it. just have to wait it out till the 23rd when i get to go see a psych and not just my family doc... im beginning to think my only hope is to go back on the SSRI's (thought i really really dont want to).... or miratzapine (although ive heard alot of horror stories about massive weight gain with this drug.. will it make me a fatty?)
 
My heart goes out to you.

Ive had anxiety for the past few years and it is probably the worst thing ive had to go through.

Your anxiety sounds intense to the point where it could be panic attacks.

When you have anxiety you have to be mindful of the thoughts it creates in you. You wont die, it wont make you go crazy. Along with depression its actually the most common psychological disorder. your rational mind will try to explain the physical symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is a physiological response that will actually not hurt you, no matter how bad it feels.

Drugs can relieve the symptoms but they wont get at the cause. Ask questions and you will know where your anxiety comes from. Do you get anxious in certain situatilons? if yes, why??

What ive noticed with psychological disorders is alot of times they arise from "unbalance". They are like a warning that you are not taking care of yourself/needs, and need to change something in your life.
 
I know everyone here is suggesting prescriptions, but i highly advise against them.

Ive been in the same experience before. I didnt leave my house for a month a t one, point, and barely moved from my bed.

I also have chronic anxiety. The reason i do not think medication is appropriate is that it CAN change your brain for the rest of your life (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/12/001215081931.htm), not only this but, they might change your personality greatly. I found that they made me flat. I know they definetly reduce sadness and anxiety, but at the same time they reduced any times of happiness.

I strongly suggest you use therapy. too many psychs are predisposed to prescrribe meds because they get a little extra cash for writing a script. In my experience the psychiatrists first line of defence was meds. this is awful, because you are not actually solving the problems just delaying them.

Look into cognitive therapies. The goal of them is to re work how you think. They allow you to recognize why and when you may become anxious, as well as change how you react when you find yourself in that type of situation.

As well as you, i was on ssri's, zoloft specifically. When i started to come of i started finding all the same problems i had before going on, and no it wasnt just withdrawl. the issue was they hadnt fixed my problems, just covered them up. get the counsellors or psychiatrists to plan a good program for you. tell them you dont just want treatment with medication and dont plan on staying on it the rest of your life, make sure they know you want to fix the problems so you can cope with them with out medication.

I also would recommend yoga or some other spiritual exercises. Get in touch with yourself, figure out why you think this may be happening. There must be a cause. Are you happy with where you are right now?

Anyway, best of luck.

feel free to pm me if you need to talk to someone or something like that. Its always nice to have someone you can talk to that can relate.

o and fyi id stay away from all substances at this point, it will only make you mroe unstable. even coffee makes me more anxious at times.
 
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Hey, first of all, to clamjuice,
The reason i do not think medication is appropriate is that it will change your brain for the rest of your life.
Click to expand...
where did you get this information from? I'm no expert of medications by any means, but I'd like to see a source for that info. I don't know about antidepressants specifically, but I know that after talking to my doc, psychiatrist , and psychologist I was told with absolute certainty that even all my (illegal) drug use wouldn't have permantly changed my brain.

to absent minded, I can relate to how you feel with anxiety! It can absolutely suck. Sometimes I get just that physical sense of anxiety even though it feels like my mind is quite calm. Still, something must be setting it off, whether it's something in your diet or lifestyle, (I can't even drink energy drinks or coffee) or thoughts that you aren't connecting with the anxiety. But what I've found with anxiety is that often searching for those answers, like what has caused it, how long it's going to go for etc etc don't help at all, they just keep you thinking of your anxiety. I don't know if you're doing that but sometimes just saying to yourself, 'This is how it is, it sucks, but I'm going to accept it' can help just a little bit.

As for your beathing, I learnt something called the six second breath, you breathe in for three seconds then out for three seconds, and like others have mentioned make sure you breath from your tummy. Your chest shouldn't move at all. Do that while staring at a clock for as long as you need and see if it helps at all.

ANother important thing is exercise because it burns off adrenaline, it's good you seem to be doing that!

And finally, I tried for over 5 months without medication doing everything right, I exercised like mad, quit drugs completely and cut down on drinking a lot, went to a psychologist once and week and did everything she said. but I couldn't get rid of the anxiety. I've been on mirtazapine for over a month now and I feel like I'm finally on the other side of all this. I haven't put on weight yet, and for me, it's really helped.
Good luck!
 
wow, everyone you have been a great help. it also feels good to know i'm not alone. im feeling slighly better now that i have valium to fall back on, but i know its not a cure and its a bad road to go down. im kind of in limbo untill the 23rd when i go see a real psychiatrist. i'd rather have a psych choose what meds to put me on than a family doc
 
I also found that one of the most frustrating things was not having anyone to relate to.

When i talked to my half-sister i found out she had been in the same boat i had been. often knowing that you are not alone helps a lot.

If you think having other to relate to, im sure you could find some groups that you could attend that have endured the same things you have.

I forgot to mention, try to be positive!

good luck on the 23rd, hopefully youll get someone helpful!
 
im interested in meds because i've tried everything else. when anxiety is this bad.. running a few miles a day, changing your diet... stop drinking caffeine.. relaxation techniques.. none of them work. what else can i do? the thing that sucks is, the valiums my doc gave me only help my anxiety slightly. yoga might be great, and i'll look into it; but i dont really see yoga curing the page long list of anxiety symptoms i've been suffering from for more than half of my day every day. i wish it would, but i highly doubt it . im going to do every single thing i can do , and ill look into yoga, but right now my life is out of hand and i can barely handle the day even with valiums.. i need some meds :)
 
I am firmly of the opinion that insuffucent prefrontal cortex activation is at the root of depression and anxiety as it is that part of the brain that keeps the brakes on the limbic system including the amygdala and stops it running away out of control.
I have just gone through hell and back trying to give up dexamphetamines. I had been clean 3 weeks, tried every fucking drug (again) and I felt like I was dementing, I couldn't hold a thought in my head and I was so socialally anxious I couldn't speak.
Today I went back on them after my dr said he couldn't give me buprenorphine. This is what I wrote in my diary

Not happier but more together, more centred, driven, bulletproof.
I can see the way through, I can see myself personal training, nursing, doing firetwiling exercising.
I can see how the pieces go together...hell, I can see the pieces.
I can remember peoples names and faces, I am gregarious instead of mute, I am confident.
I dont give a shit
I see people for who they really are, I see my place in it
I have idea's!

Of course as I write this I do so from the perspective of someone who since yesterday afternoon ate about 6 and is typeing this at 8am having not slept. I know paranoia will come take me, I will come down from this night, but to live MY GOD It wasn't being alive before it was just a pile of shit...so begines the wrestle with my beast
 
Can I just add that all the herbal suppliments in the world did SHIT, what did work were some tea's. In particular Ginseng, peppermint, cammomile, yerba mate and brahmi tea. You could really feel them working and mix them up to get the right effect. I woulld have tried this before going back on the stims but I could barely remember where I lived let alone much else
I am 28, this can't be right
 
I would not suggest dex for a cure to anxiety...if thats what you are saying. If anything it will make him more anxious.

Im not sure what you are proposing streetsweeper. And are you going to believe everything the doctors tell you. Say you arent 'right', your brain isnt normal. Maybe you need to look at your lifestyle. People just dont have good lives anymore. they need to get away from all this shit. get out of the city and go somewhere quiet.

Docs need to stop looking at brains as an excuse and start looking at the outside. It all starts there. I know there are many things i could have done to prevent my anxiety and still could do.
 
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streetsweeper said:
I am firmly of the opinion that insuffucent prefrontal cortex activation is at the root of depression and anxiety
Click to expand...

This is a generalization and it is inaccurate. The prefrontal cortex is involved in high level regulation of things but all parts of the brain are interrelated and work together. do not think you can pinpoint depression or anxiety to one specific brain region.

I hope that is not why u took amphetamines, to help anxiety or depression?

that shit is bad for all parts of the brain in the long run anyways- will just make things worse
 
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